Foundations or Retaining Walls of Concrete

The very word foundation conjures images of strength and stability. And a quality foundation made of concrete should outlast the structure it supports. Concrete isn’t impervious to age and other environmental factor, but, when it’s created, it should be perfectly mixed then poured without pockets and other factors that create instability within the finished project, and then finished appropriately. Concrete will deteriorate over time, but it should be strong enough when poured as a foundation for a structure to resists the inevitable movements of the earth; it should resist water. And, while concrete as a building material is made of the same material, it’s important to remember that not all concrete is laid the same. It’s important that a concrete contractor knows how to properly mix the concrete, pour or place the concrete, and then how to finish it. To make a foundation strong, it should be placed on level ground that’s well-compacted. The ground below the foundation, which is usually composed of crushed stone, should be as flat and compacted as the concrete it will soon support. If a concrete foundation is not placed on appropriate ground, it could crack, and these cracks will cause stabilizations problems for the structure it supports, and also allow water to penetrate. When the concrete is poured there should be no air pockets allowed within the mass. A quality concrete contractor will be able to eliminate these pockets of air to keep the mixture completely cohesive. And a quality contractor should accurately place rebar and other supports to resist the forces of movement from both the earth and the water. Luckily, if you are ever searching for a quality concrete contractor with the experience to get the job done right, you can call the concrete/shotcrete experts at Shotcrete Montana. It doesn’t matter if the concrete structure is a retaining wall or a foundation, call